Indo-European Comparative Linguistics [ LGLOR2802 ]

Thorough knowledge of at least one ancient Indo-European language (Greek, Latin, Sanskrit, Hittite).

An introduction to historic and comparative linguistics, as applied to Indo-european.

This course deals with the following themes:

1. The history of the comparative study of the Indo-European languages;
2. The principals and methods of genetic comparison;
3. The phonological system of proto-Indo-European;
4. Accenting and vocalic alternation;
5. Word structure (root, suffix, ending);
6. Nominal and verbal morphology.

At the end of this course, the student will be familiar with the objectives and methods of linguistic comparison (especially as concerns the reconstruction of proto-languages), the theoretical basis of diachronic linguistics and the major results of the comparative grammar of Indo-European languages (in the domains of phonology, morphology and etymology).

Oral exam.

Lectures on the theory alternating with practical applications (exercises in reconstruction and etymology).

A survey of the Indo-European languages and subgroups. Definition of the theory of genetic affinity. Procedures and objectives of linguistic reconstruction. Reconstruction of proto-Indo-European: phonological system (including the theory of glottals), morpho-phonological system (accent and apophony) and  the morphological system (word structure).

- E. Tichy, A Survey of Proto-Indo-European, Bremen, 2006.
- J. Clackson, Indo-European Linguistics: an Introduction, Cambridge, 2007.
- M. Meier-Brügger, Indogermanische Sprachwissenschaft, Berlin, 9e éd., 2010.
- B.W. Fortson IV, Indo-European Language and Culture: an Introduction, Oxford, 2e éd., 2010.

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